Every year, MLB Network¡¯s ¡°Top 10 Right Now!¡± series ranks the players at each position. And once they¡¯re done with that thankless-and-controversial-but-also-fun task, we like to zoom out here and rank ¡­ the positions themselves!

Going into 2025, here¡¯s a look --- with some historical context considered -- at which spots on the diamond stack up as the deepest and which could use a boost from a comeback candidate, rising star or prominent prospect.

As you are aware, players move around the field more than ever. So it¡¯s not always easy to identify which particular position we should associate with a particular versatile player. But if a guy appeared at a position in at least half of his games played last season and/or can reasonably be counted on to see regular time at that position again this year, we¡¯ll go with that.

To the list!

1. Shortstops

We¡¯ve been saying for some time that we¡¯re in a Golden Era of shortstops, but here¡¯s a way to actually quantify it.

Last season, there were 18 shortstops (players who appeared at the position in at least 50% of their games played) who put up at least three Wins Above Replacement, per Baseball-Reference: CJ Abrams (Nationals), Willy Adames (Brewers, now with the Giants), Mookie Betts (Dodgers), Carlos Correa (Twins), Elly De La Cruz (Reds), Gunnar Henderson (Orioles), Francisco Lindor (Mets), Zach Neto (Angels), Jeremy Pe?a (Astros), Geraldo Perdomo (Diamondbacks), Miguel Rojas (Dodgers), Corey Seager (Rangers), Dansby Swanson (Cubs), Ezequiel Tovar (Rockies), Trea Turner (Phillies), Anthony Volpe (Yankees), Masyn Winn (Cardinals), Bobby Witt Jr. (Royals).

That tied 2019 for the most 3+ WAR shortstops in a season in MLB history. And it¡¯s interesting how much the cast evolved within that five-year timeframe. The only repeats between 2019 and 2024 on the 3+ WAR list were Adames, Correa, Lindor and Turner. Obviously, not all of the above names are superstars of the ilk of Witt and Henderson, who both broke out to MVP-caliber levels last year, but this position is in very capable hands for a lot of franchises right now.

2. Relief pitchers

Last year, we noted in this space that the number of relievers with at least 40 innings pitched and WHIP marks of 1.00 or better had somehow shrunk from 32 in 2022 to 16 in 2023. Well, we¡¯re pleased to report that the number climbed to 33 in 2024 -- the most ever! It¡¯s especially interesting to note that the list included five rookies -- most notably Mason Miller (A¡¯s) and Cade Smith (Guardians), who took on big roles and have already wound up on MLB Network¡¯s Top 10 relievers list.

MLB-wide, relievers held opponents to a .238 average -- third-lowest ever, behind only the .236 mark in 2022 and the .237 mark in the Year of the Pitcher, 1968.

So the big relief train appears to be running on all cylinders again, hence the high ranking here. But beware of the dreaded Hangover Year for the arms pushed to the limit by contenders. Relievers accounted for 394 1/3 of the 760 innings thrown in the postseason last year, or 51.9% -- a 3.7% increase from the previous year. Don¡¯t be surprised if some high-leverage guys pay the price in health and/or effectiveness.

3. Right fielders

Juan Soto and Aaron Judge are no longer teammates, but they¡¯re back on the same team here now that Judge is back in the outfield corner. The result is that right field can survive that whole ¡°Mookie Betts: Everyday Infielder¡± alignment and return to positional prominence.

Last year, there were only six regular right fielders -- Wilyer Abreu (Red Sox), Lawrence Butler (A¡¯s), Corbin Carroll (Diamondbacks), Soto, Seiya Suzuki (Cubs) and Kyle Tucker (Astros, now Cubs) -- who put up a 3+ WAR season, an uncharacteristically low total for this spot. As Tucker takes over right field in Wrigley with Suzuki now a full-time DH, the list shortens ... but Anthony Santander (then Orioles, now Blue Jays) had a 2.9 WAR while hitting 44 homers, so we can round up and include him.

The return of Judge to right, an in-season return for 2023 NL MVP Ronald Acu?a Jr. (Braves) from another major knee injury and a full season from Fernando Tatis Jr. (Padres), who was limited to 102 games last year, should change the profile here in a hurry. We¡¯re also seeing mid-20-somethings like Matt Wallner (Twins) and Kerry Carpenter (Tigers) emerge as offensive forces (though Carpenter did spend a lot of time at DH last year while navigating injury). And one of the top prospects in MLB, Dylan Crews (Nationals), is expected to be manning right field in Washington. So while 2024 wasn¡¯t an overwhelming season in right field, it¡¯s looking strong for 2025.

4. Third basemen

This position has quite a few full-fledged stars in Nolan Arenado (Cardinals ¡­ for now), Alex Bregman (free agent), Matt Chapman (Giants), Rafael Devers (Red Sox), Manny Machado (Padres), Jos¨¦ Ram¨ªrez (Guardians) and Austin Riley (Braves). But with the exceptions of Devers (who may or may not stick as a third baseman long-term) and Riley (who is returning from a broken hand), all of those guys are in their 30s.

So it¡¯s time for a new crop of stars to emerge at the hot corner to keep things humming along. We are seeing that with Mark Vientos (Mets), who had a 135 OPS+ in the regular season and had a breakout October (although he could potentially shift to first base if Pete Alonso is out of the picture). More consistency in performance from Alec Bohm (Phillies) and in health from Royce Lewis (Twins) and Max Muncy (Dodgers) would be welcomed. Among the youngsters, Junior Caminero (Rays) is definitely one to watch, as are the ¡°Jung¡± guns -- Josh Jung (Rangers) and younger brother Jace Jung (Tigers), a top prospect. Isaac Paredes (Astros) is still only 25 and was a first-time All-Star last season. Jordan Westburg (Orioles) was also a first-time All-Star while logging the majority of his innings at third, but he could suit up more frequently at second base in Baltimore this year.

5. Left fielders

Left field made The Leap in 2024, from ranking 10th on this list a year ago to this more lofty spot. One big reason for that was the awesome arrivals of Jackson Chourio (Brewers) and Colton Cowser (Orioles), both of whom were finalists for Rookie of the Year Awards in their respective leagues. (Chourio wasn¡¯t expected to log so much time in left, but he took over there as Christian Yelich dealt with back issues that required surgery. It remains to be seen exactly how the Brewers align things in 2025 when Yelich returns.)

This past season also saw Jarren Duran (Red Sox), Riley Greene (Tigers) and Steven Kwan (Guardians) break out as first-time All-Stars, with Duran winning the Midsummer Classic¡¯s MVP honor (he played more games in center but is considered a left fielder going into 2025). And veterans Teoscar Hern¨¢ndez (Dodgers) and Jurickson Profar (Padres, now Braves) had career years.

Young left fielders who could make a big impact in 2025 include Jasson Dom¨ªnguez (Yankees), Wyatt Langford (Rangers) and James Wood (Nationals). And a huge X-factor is Roman Anthony, the No. 2 prospect in MLB per MLB Pipeline who could arrive in Boston in either center field or left (or both), depending on what the Red Sox choose to do with Duran and Ceddanne Rafaela.

All told, left field is looking a lot more robust than it did a short time ago.

6. Catchers

Last season, William Contreras (Brewers) and Cal Raleigh (Mariners) were the only 4-WAR catchers in MLB. They are legit middle of the order presences at a position where that is ultra-rare.

All-Stars Adley Rutschman (Orioles) and Will Smith (Dodgers) are capable of such a year, but both had offensive downturns in the second half. Meanwhile, the best catcher of his generation, J.T. Realmuto (Phillies), dealt with knee issues, and Sean Murphy (Braves) has regressed badly at the plate.

But Yainer Diaz (Astros) seems to be a star in the making here, registering 3.2 bWAR and a 118 OPS+ in his first season in the starting role, and Austin Wells (Yankees) was a Rookie of the Year finalist. Gabriel Moreno (Diamondbacks) had his rise to prominence affected by injury last year but looks to be a centerpiece for the Snakes. There are similar hopes for Francisco Alvarez (Mets) and Bo Naylor (Guardians) and prospect Kyle Teel (White Sox), among others. We could be evolving from a time when tandems reigned supreme to an era in which more everyday backstops make an impact.

7. Designated hitters

Well, you know about Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers), of course. His return to pitching this year will likely lead to a more conservative baserunning approach that doesn¡¯t allow him to do the whole 50-50 thing again, and let¡¯s not forget he¡¯s coming off shoulder surgery as a hitter while coming back from elbow surgery as a pitcher. It¡¯s all very complex.

Then there¡¯s Brent Rooker (A¡¯s). Ohtani got a lot of attention for producing an OPS+ of 190 (90% better than league average) -- the best ever for a qualified DH. But more quietly, Rooker¡¯s 165 OPS+ ranked 16th all-time.

All told, there were five regular DHs last year -- Yordan Alvarez (Astros), Ohtani, Marcell Ozuna (Braves), Rooker and Kyle Schwarber (Phillies) -- who produced an OPS+ at least 30% better than league average. That was the most since 2006, and the only other season with that many since the advent of the DH in 1973 was the strike-shortened 1994 season. So while a lot of teams are using a revolving cast here, therefore limiting the ranking, this is a better DH crop than usual.

8. Second basemen

Hard to believe we had second base in the second spot last year. But that was coming off a 2023 in which eight second basemen had produced a 4+ WAR season. And at the time Mookie Betts was slotted in for second, but he didn¡¯t end up playing there much.

In 2024, the linchpin, Jose Altuve (Astros), had a strong but not spectacular age-34 season (his .790 OPS was his lowest in a full season since 2013). Marcus Semien (Rangers) was a league-average bat in his age-33 season. Ozzie Albies (Braves) missed a good chunk of the year and Matt McLain (Reds) missed all of it with injury, while 2023 Gold Glove winner Ha-Seong Kim (Padres) moved back to short. And Andr¨¦s Gim¨¦nez (Guardians, now Blue Jays) did not have the offensive resurgence that was hoped, leading to an offseason trade.

So 2024 did not meet our expectations, hence the lower ranking here. On the bright side, Ketel Marte (Diamondbacks) was an NL MVP finalist, and Brice Turang (Brewers) was a Gold Glove winner in his second season. And of course, some of the above (and/or Jazz Chisholm Jr., who is expected to shift back to second for the Yankees) could have a much stronger 2025 to improve the production at the position.

9. Starting pitchers

Obviously, starting pitching isn¡¯t what it used to be. Starters get more rest to pitch fewer innings and experience more injuries. That¡¯s not our favorite formula.

There was a slight bright side to 2024. The number of starters who qualified for the ERA title was 58, basically matching the pre-pandemic level of 2019 (61) after several seasons in which the ripple effects of the shortened 2020 season reared their ugly head (39 in 2021, 45 in 2022, 44 in 2023).

Unfortunately, only 10 of those ERA qualifiers had an ERA+ at least 30% better than league average -- Ronel Blanco (Astros), Tanner Houck (Red Sox), Shota Imanaga (Cubs), Michael King (Padres), Seth Lugo (Royals), Cole Ragans (Royals), Chris Sale (Braves), Tarik Skubal (Tigers), Framber Valdez (Astros) and Zack Wheeler (Phillies). That was the fewest since 2006. And even if we account for the change in usage patterns and generously lower the starting workload threshold all the way down to 100 innings, there were only 16 guys with an ERA+ that high, the fewest since 2016.

So it would be wonderful to see the likes of Roki Sasaki (Dodgers), Jackson Jobe (Tigers) and Andrew Painter (Phillies) do as Paul Skenes (Pirates) did last year and make an instant impression. And of course, let¡¯s hope more arms and shoulders cooperate in the new season.

10. First basemen

We know that the slugging first baseman is not valued as he once was. Witness Pete Alonso¡¯s laborious free agency despite his lofty homer totals with the Mets.

But a player who can produce at this position has become rare. Last season, Freddie Freeman (Dodgers), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays), Bryce Harper (Phillies) and Matt Olson (Braves) were the only first basemen worth 3+ bWAR. That was the fewest in a full season since ¡­ 1963!

So we need a collective effort -- a Yandy D¨ªaz (Rays) bounceback, a successful first season in Houston for Christian Walker (Astros), a full year of health from Vinnie Pasquantino (Royals), a breakout for Triston Casas (Red Sox), another All-Star year from Josh Naylor (Diamondbacks, formerly Guardians) and perhaps a Mark Vientos (Mets) shift from third base -- to bring us back to the good old days when first basemen slugged satisfactorily.

11. Center fielders

With reigning AL MVP Aaron Judge (Yankees) no longer slotted in at center, this position¡¯s productivity takes a huge hit. And as mentioned in the left fielders slot, 2024 breakout star Jarren Duran is currently expected to see the majority of his time in left, not center. Also, Mike Trout could (read: should) see less time in center this season to reduce the load on his oft-battered body.

For now, Julio Rodr¨ªguez is No. 1 at this position on MLB Network¡¯s list, despite an inconsistent track record to date, because we all know he has MVP potential. And the successful shift of Jackson Merrill (Padres) from shortstop to center in a rousing rookie season augments the position. But it thins out in a hurry. There are other dynamic athletes here -- notably Byron Buxton (Twins), but he¡¯s always hurt, and Michael Harris II (Braves), but he was injured for a chunk of last season. Cody Bellinger (Yankees) will likely see a lot of time in center field in the Bronx, but his offensive track record is all over the place. Oneil Cruz (Pirates) and his full-time shift from shortstop to center is an interesting X-factor here.